Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered a keynote address Thursday at a conference hosted by Children's Health Defense, the vaccine-skeptic organization he co-founded, assuring participants they have a strong ally in the Trump administration.

Speaking in Washington, D.C., Kennedy stated, "Let me be clear. You have a strong and steadfast friend at the White House." He credited President Donald Trump with directing efforts to enhance research, transparency, and parental choice regarding childhood vaccines.

Kennedy, who stepped away from the group during his 2024 presidential bid, described the administration's progress over the past 19 months as significant. He noted steps taken to review the childhood vaccine schedule, reshape advisory processes, and prioritize safety questions raised by parents. The secretary emphasized that the administration has preserved access to vaccines while initiating inquiries into potential links between the expanded schedule and chronic health issues.

The event marked Kennedy's first appearance at the group's conference since joining the administration. Other Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Ron Johnson and Rand Paul, were also scheduled to participate.

Kennedy addressed procedural limits on immediate changes, explaining that legal and administrative requirements prevented broader actions on day one. He vowed to continue pushing for answers on vaccine safety data that he said have long concerned millions of American families.

The remarks come amid ongoing public debate over vaccination policies and measles cases reported across the country this year. Kennedy framed the administration's approach as one that respects parental decision-making without imposing federal mandates.

Administration officials have highlighted similar priorities in recent months, including efforts to space out certain vaccines and strengthen oversight of safety monitoring systems.